Jersey College Nutrition Final Exam Official
Practice Exam Actual Exam 2026/2027 with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam-Style
Questions | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
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SECTION 1: NUTRITION FUNDAMENTALS & MACRONUTRIENTS Q1 – Q10
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Question 1 of 50
A 42-year-old male patient tells the nurse he is starting a ketogenic diet and plans to
consume only 5% of his daily calories from carbohydrates. He asks if this falls within
the recommended range for a healthy adult.
. Yes, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
A
10-35% of total calories.
B. No, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
45-65% of total calories. ✓ CORRECT
C. No, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
20-35% of total calories.
D. Yes, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
5-15% of total calories.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for carbohydrates
established by the Institute of Medicine is 45-65% of total daily calories for adults, a
range that supports glucose-dependent tissue function and reduces chronic disease
risk. Answer A incorrectly states the AMDR for protein, which is 10-35%, while C and D
present ranges that do not align with any established macronutrient distribution
standard. On the exam, always distinguish carbohydrate AMDR (45-65%) from protein
AMDR (10-35%) and fat AMDR (20-35%).
Question 2 of 50
During a dietary assessment, a 28-year-old female athlete reports consuming 1,800
calories per day with 20% of calories from protein. The nurse calculates her daily protein
intake in grams to determine if she meets the recommended intake for her activity level.
. 72 grams per day
A
B. 90 grams per day ✓ CORRECT
C. 60 grams per day
D. 108 grams per day
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To calculate grams of protein, multiply total calories by the percentage from
protein (1,800 × 0.20 = 360 calories) and divide by 4 calories per gram of protein,
yielding 90 grams daily. Answer A represents 20% of total calories divided by 5 instead
of 4, a common calculation error, while C and D result from incorrect percentage or
,caloric value application. Remember that protein and carbohydrates provide 4 kcal/g,
while fat provides 9 kcal/g — a distinction tested frequently on nutrition exams.
Question 3 of 50
A nurse is counseling a 55-year-old patient with hyperlipidemia about reducing
saturated fat intake. The patient asks how much of their daily calories should come
from total fat according to current dietary guidelines.
. Total fat should provide 10-20% of daily calories.
A
B. Total fat should provide 20-35% of daily calories. ✓ CORRECT
C. Total fat should provide 35-45% of daily calories.
D. Total fat should provide 45-60% of daily calories.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AMDR for total fat is 20-35% of total daily calories for adults, a range that
supports essential fatty acid intake and fat-soluble vitamin absorption while minimizing
cardiovascular risk. Answer A describes a very-low-fat therapeutic diet rather than the
general guideline, and C and D exceed recommended ranges that would increase
saturated fat and overall caloric density. For patients with hyperlipidemia, emphasize
that the type of fat matters more than total fat alone — replacing saturated fat with
unsaturated sources is the primary therapeutic goal.
Question 4 of 50
A registered dietitian is reviewing a 30-year-old patient's food diary and notes that
breakfast consisted of oatmeal with berries, lunch was grilled chicken with quinoa and
, vegetables, and dinner included salmon with sweet potato. The dietitian identifies which
macronutrient as the body's preferred and most efficient source of energy.
. Protein, because it provides essential amino acids for tissue repair and immune
A
function.
B. Carbohydrate, because glucose is the primary fuel for the brain and red blood cells. ✓
CORRECT
C. Fat, because it yields 9 calories per gram and stores energy most densely.
D. Fiber, because it is a complex carbohydrate that directly fuels cellular metabolism.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbohydrate is the body's preferred energy source because glucose is the
obligate fuel for the brain, red blood cells, and exercising muscle under aerobic
conditions, with complete oxidation yielding approximately 4 kcal/g efficiently. Answer C
describes fat's caloric density but not its metabolic priority — fat is a storage fuel, not
the preferred immediate energy source, while A describes protein's structural role rather
than energy function and D incorrectly states that fiber directly fuels metabolism when
fiber is actually non-digestible. On clinical exams, remember that the brain requires
approximately 130 grams of glucose daily and cannot adapt to ketones immediately.
Question 5 of 50
A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic kidney disease about protein metabolism. The
patient asks why the healthcare team has restricted protein intake when protein is
essential for health.
. Excess protein intake increases nitrogenous waste production, which impaired
A
kidneys cannot adequately excrete. ✓ CORRECT
Practice Exam Actual Exam 2026/2027 with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam-Style
Questions | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
═════════════════════════════════════
═
SECTION 1: NUTRITION FUNDAMENTALS & MACRONUTRIENTS Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 42-year-old male patient tells the nurse he is starting a ketogenic diet and plans to
consume only 5% of his daily calories from carbohydrates. He asks if this falls within
the recommended range for a healthy adult.
. Yes, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
A
10-35% of total calories.
B. No, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
45-65% of total calories. ✓ CORRECT
C. No, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
20-35% of total calories.
D. Yes, because the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for carbohydrates is
5-15% of total calories.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for carbohydrates
established by the Institute of Medicine is 45-65% of total daily calories for adults, a
range that supports glucose-dependent tissue function and reduces chronic disease
risk. Answer A incorrectly states the AMDR for protein, which is 10-35%, while C and D
present ranges that do not align with any established macronutrient distribution
standard. On the exam, always distinguish carbohydrate AMDR (45-65%) from protein
AMDR (10-35%) and fat AMDR (20-35%).
Question 2 of 50
During a dietary assessment, a 28-year-old female athlete reports consuming 1,800
calories per day with 20% of calories from protein. The nurse calculates her daily protein
intake in grams to determine if she meets the recommended intake for her activity level.
. 72 grams per day
A
B. 90 grams per day ✓ CORRECT
C. 60 grams per day
D. 108 grams per day
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To calculate grams of protein, multiply total calories by the percentage from
protein (1,800 × 0.20 = 360 calories) and divide by 4 calories per gram of protein,
yielding 90 grams daily. Answer A represents 20% of total calories divided by 5 instead
of 4, a common calculation error, while C and D result from incorrect percentage or
,caloric value application. Remember that protein and carbohydrates provide 4 kcal/g,
while fat provides 9 kcal/g — a distinction tested frequently on nutrition exams.
Question 3 of 50
A nurse is counseling a 55-year-old patient with hyperlipidemia about reducing
saturated fat intake. The patient asks how much of their daily calories should come
from total fat according to current dietary guidelines.
. Total fat should provide 10-20% of daily calories.
A
B. Total fat should provide 20-35% of daily calories. ✓ CORRECT
C. Total fat should provide 35-45% of daily calories.
D. Total fat should provide 45-60% of daily calories.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AMDR for total fat is 20-35% of total daily calories for adults, a range that
supports essential fatty acid intake and fat-soluble vitamin absorption while minimizing
cardiovascular risk. Answer A describes a very-low-fat therapeutic diet rather than the
general guideline, and C and D exceed recommended ranges that would increase
saturated fat and overall caloric density. For patients with hyperlipidemia, emphasize
that the type of fat matters more than total fat alone — replacing saturated fat with
unsaturated sources is the primary therapeutic goal.
Question 4 of 50
A registered dietitian is reviewing a 30-year-old patient's food diary and notes that
breakfast consisted of oatmeal with berries, lunch was grilled chicken with quinoa and
, vegetables, and dinner included salmon with sweet potato. The dietitian identifies which
macronutrient as the body's preferred and most efficient source of energy.
. Protein, because it provides essential amino acids for tissue repair and immune
A
function.
B. Carbohydrate, because glucose is the primary fuel for the brain and red blood cells. ✓
CORRECT
C. Fat, because it yields 9 calories per gram and stores energy most densely.
D. Fiber, because it is a complex carbohydrate that directly fuels cellular metabolism.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbohydrate is the body's preferred energy source because glucose is the
obligate fuel for the brain, red blood cells, and exercising muscle under aerobic
conditions, with complete oxidation yielding approximately 4 kcal/g efficiently. Answer C
describes fat's caloric density but not its metabolic priority — fat is a storage fuel, not
the preferred immediate energy source, while A describes protein's structural role rather
than energy function and D incorrectly states that fiber directly fuels metabolism when
fiber is actually non-digestible. On clinical exams, remember that the brain requires
approximately 130 grams of glucose daily and cannot adapt to ketones immediately.
Question 5 of 50
A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic kidney disease about protein metabolism. The
patient asks why the healthcare team has restricted protein intake when protein is
essential for health.
. Excess protein intake increases nitrogenous waste production, which impaired
A
kidneys cannot adequately excrete. ✓ CORRECT
